Gillette Opener: Mission Hill

Mission Hill is an alternative rock band from my hometown.

Adam Jensen - Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Alex Knutsen - Guitar

Takuma Anzai - Drums

Nick DiSpagna - Bass

Their bio on ReverbNation says that they:

...[mix] provoking songwriting, catchy hooks, moody vocals, an energetic live show, and strong musicianship with an unerring commitment to their unique sound. Since forming in 2006 they have gained a large east coast following through indie distribution and relentless gigging (including a one month stint at the Hard Rock Cafe in Saigon).

Their new songs have received much critical acclaim including recently being awarded an LA Music Award for “Indie Male Vocalist of the Year”, as well as being named to the number one spot on Alternative Addiction’s list of “Top Ten Unsigned Bands in the Country”.

All I know is I like their music.  And I would love to sit down with them and talk about their experience in Saigon.

Why am I telling you about this?  Mission Hill won the OurStage Wanted: A Superband contest w/ Bon Jovi.  They will be opening at Gillette Stadium on the 24th.

Last month, Jamie Stryker, with Platform-1, asked me if I would be open to working with Mission Hill on any level.  They have a new album coming out, as well as the Gillette gig, and she wanted to know if I thought that other Bon Jovi fans would be into their music.

I told her honestly, that I needed to hear the music first, to make sure I was honestly working with a band I liked.  I have absolutely no reservations about recommending this band to you, my dear readers.

Yep, I think other Jovi fans will dig these young guys from Boston.

I've spent some time with their EP "Save Me From Me" and with the acoustic Tuesday offerings on their YouTube Channel and have not been disappointed.


Tracks from "Save Me From Me" (courtesy ReverbNation):

• This Town
• Forever Anyway
• Save Me From Me
• Long Time Coming
• Jen (When I Grow Up)
• Down With Young Love

The EP is available on iTunes and through their website.

I know bands don't like it when they get compared to other bands -- everyone wants to be unique.  So I apologize in advance for comparing them to the likes of Daughtry, Matt Nathanson, Mason Mraz, John Mayer.  Not that the sounds or styles are the same, but the music feels comfortable and familiar when you listen to it.  You can dive right in and know you're going to like it.

Chunky Music says of them:

Overall, this music is highly marketable. Think a younger Bon Jovi style band. While lacking the smash hits that make Bon Jovi … well … Bon Jovi, this band if they keep working will surely stumble upon these songs as their chemistry improves.

Like Bon Jovi, the band sounds true-to-record when playing live.  For me, that's important.  Anyone can over-produce a record and make even the scariest of voices *coughlikeminecough* sound good.  Adam, the lead singer, has an amazingly strong voice.  His voice is good, not produced to be good.

Here's a clip of them live, from Portsmouth's Redhook Festival in 2009. It's a medley of a couple songs.



Their new single, “Crazy” is getting rotation on some of the stations here in Beantown, and has been getting steady airplay in many cities across the country.

My favorite track (so far) is "Forever Anyway" off the first record, though I haven't found any "skippers" in the bunch.

Being an acoustic lover, this version of "Forever Anyway" I absolutely ADORE.  There's just something more intimate about guitars, a gentle beat, and the voices... Nothing to distract from the beauty of the song.



Hey now, it's alright
Nobody home in the world tonight
I can't hear a single word you say
Stop, drop, load and lock
Take it down if you wanna rock
'Cuz, we're gonna live forever anyway

The band is really good, and I encourage everyone to give the music a listen, and not skip them come the 24th.  Seriously.

~ Hath